Companion obedience training for handlers to learn how to teach their dogs, and for dogs to learn foundation behaviors and life skills that will make them great companions.

For new dog owners, veteran dog owners with new dogs, and handlers who want to practice fun, positive teaching techniques with their dogs.

The first class is 90 minutes long and is for humans only.
Updated learning theory and positive reinforcement techniques to build trust and produce long lasting results will be presented. Methods including use of a clicker or verbal marker will be explained. Shaping will be described and class members will participate in exercises to learn and improve timing.

Offered 8:30-9:45pm on the last Monday in Oct, Jan, and Feb. Held in a matted and gated ring at at 219 Bear Hill Road, Waltham MA.
Open to members and non-members.

Schedule:

Oct 30, 2017

Jan 29, 2018

Feb 26, 2018

Pre-registered teams have priority. To pre-register, please Sandy Elliott at sellli41772@verizon.net by 6:00 PM the Sunday before. Please include your name, your dog's call name and breed, class and jump heights for Open/Utility. Run orders will be emailed Monday morning.

Fee: No additional fee if you have paid for a night of training. Otherwise Members $15, Non-members $20

If you've never trained at CRDTC, please print out and complete a training application and bring it with you the first time you come to train.

Puppies must be on a schedule of routine vaccinations and have had vaccinations appropriate for their age. It is recommended that pups have a series of two vaccinations by the start of class, however, check with your veterinarian.

Class size is limited to 8 puppies and this course often fills. Pre-registration is required. Fee $165.

Each Advanced Beginner class focuses on two of the ten CGC exercises, so all ten are covered over a five-week cycle. For a description of the CGC exercises, see the AKC site. Training for the Advanced CGC (CGCA) and Urban CGC (CGCU) tests is also discussed in this class.

Several CGC Tests are offered during the year. Space is limited and graduates of the CRDTC Advanced Beginner Course have priority. Please bring a brush or comb and a copy of your dog's current rabies certificate and town license to the CGC Test. Test Fee: $20.

For additional information and to check space availability, email
crdtc@yahoo.com.

These classes are for dogs at all levels of training and include tricks and some bits of musical heeling such as that done in canine freestyle dancing.

Bring your crate, toys and treats. Open to all, no need to pre-register.

Fee: Members $15, Non-members $20 per evening. If you've never trained at CRDTC, please print out and complete a training application and bring it with you the first time you come to class.

Schedule:

Feb 5 and Feb 12, 2018 cancelled

Mar 19 and Mar 26, 2018 cancelled

Apr 30, 2018

May 7, 2018

Jun 18, 2018

Training for Therapy Dogs

Do you have a potential therapy dog? Dogs that do therapy visits must have excellent temperament. They should be calm, relaxed, confident, outgoing, friendly, patient, gentle, and enjoy physical contact with all types of people. They should be tolerant of other dogs and completely non-aggressive. Behaviors can be modified with training, but a dog's basic personality and disposition is unlikely to change.

In addition, therapy dogs should be well trained, obedient, and have good manners. They should work nicely on leash with their handler in new surroundings and remain under good control despite distractions. Dogs should be healthy, current on all vaccinations, clean and well groomed, free of parasites, and have short/smooth nails.

Dog owners and their therapy dogs make a commitment to do regular volunteer visits at a designated nursing home, assisted living or special needs facility, senior daycare center, rehab center, or hospital. These visits can spark conversation, provide comfort and companionship, and renew fond memories of a person's previous pets. Some therapy dogs participate in reading with children programs at libraries and schools.

The specific requirements for certification vary by therapy dog organization but generally include successfully completing a basic obedience dog training course and passing the AKC Canine Good Citizen test, taken when the dog is at least one year old. Some organizations have additional requirements and their own tests for certification.

The CRDTC Advanced Beginner classes are based on the CGC exercises. Each class focuses on two of the ten CGC exercises, so all ten are covered over a five-week cycle. Training for the Advanced CGC (CGCA) and Urban CGC (CGCU) tests is also discussed in this class. The CGC exercises are described on the AKC website

Therapy dogs are not considered assistance dogs or service dogs and thus do not have the access rights of animals assisting the blind or disabled.

For more information and a partial list of local and national therapy dog organizations see the
CRDTC therapy dog page

Special Classes/Workshops and Summer Training

Introduction to Tracking 2018Instructor: Roseann Mandell.
For Beginners only. Meets 3 Tuesday evenings -- May 8, 15, and 22 -- at 6pm in Waltham MA.
Each class runs 60 - 75 minutes and includes a handout, classroom discussion, and field exercises for the dogs. There is homework assigned each week. Your dog should be comfortable staying alone in your vehicle when not working.
Course fee is $65. Registration opens April 1st. Limited to 5 with preference to CRDTC members.
Some resources: A Beginner's Guide and information about AKC tracking events.
FMI: crdtc@yahoo.com

Summer Training for 2018Relaxed, informal, all-level (beyond Beginner) training sessions on Monday evenings with Tracy Mulrenan, July 9 through July 30th, 6:45 – 8:oo PM . Held at the U Mass Field Station in Waltham, outdoors in the Rose Garden. If the weather is poor, there is the option to move indoors. more info